Administrator

Do you have good communication and leadership skills? Are you looking to translate your work experience into a new and exciting career? Or, if you're just starting out, are you in search of something fun and fulfilling? Then becoming an administrator may be exactly right for you. Demand for professionals in this field is on the rise, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, and this demand is expected to continue over the next decade.

What is an Administrator?

An administrator is a professional who is responsible for the planning and coordination of the various operations of an organization. These could include record keeping, facilities planning and maintenance, and the supervision of personnel. The administrator's job is to keep the business running smooth daily.

Job Responsibilities

This is a wide-open field, and responsibilities will vary depending on the type of entity you work for. However, some general job duties of administrators may include:

• Supervise clerical and administrative personnel
• Monitor the facility to ensure that it remains safe, secure, and well-maintained
• Set goals and deadlines for their department or facility
• Manage and analyze product-making or service related activities
• Prepare and review operational reports and schedules to ensure accuracy and efficiency
• Recommend changes to policies or procedures to improve operations
• Oversee the maintenance and repair of machinery and equipment
• Ensure adherence to environmental, health and security standards and government regulations
• Manage the morale of employees to enhance operational productivity
• Plan budgets for contracts, supplies and equipment
• Initiate the implementation of new technologies
• Act as a liaison between staff and management 

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Career Outlook for Administrators

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for administrators, sometimes referred to as administrative services managers or business administrators, is expected to increase by 10 percent between 2016 and 2026. This is faster than the average of 7 percent for all occupations. Those who specialize in areas such as facilities management and records and information management should be particularly in demand.

Facilities managers will be needed to improve energy efficiency with the continued focus on environmental impact, as well as to prepare their businesses for natural disasters. These administrators will want to ensure the least amount of disruption to business schedules and deadlines.

Data security will become increasingly important for records and information managers as cloud and mobile computing continue to grow. These administrators will be needed to deal with the privacy and legal aspects of records management.

Still, while retirement from the field is expected to provide even more job opportunities, competition will be strong. A business associate degree from Bryant & Stratton College will position you well to begin your career as an administrator in any number of industries.

What can I do with a Business Associate Degree?

Your business associate degree will prepare you for a career as an administrator. You will learn business communications, sales, marketing, accounting, business law, information technology, management principles and more. This well-rounded curriculum will provide the platform from which you can enter the diverse field of administration. Some of the industries open to you are finance, human resources, marketing operations, information systems, office management, healthcare administration, manufacturing, insurance and more.

Having gone through the business associate degree program, you will understand global business issues. Your verbal and math skills will be in line with the current business environment. You will understand the most important functions of management and their application to decision-making. You will acquire the information technology skills necessary for common business applications. And, you will develop important information literacy skills through the effective use of technology and information resources and apply these to problem-solving.

Although you could enter this career with a high school diploma and related work experience, distinguishing yourself early with a business associate degree from Bryant & Stratton College can help you edge out the competition.

Additional Training/Requirements

In addition to your business associate degree, you will likely need some prior experience in a related field to get a good position as an administrator. The type of experience you need will depend on the industry you choose to work in and the type of administrator you choose to be. Regardless of industry, your experience should showcase your management and leadership skills.

You may also consider obtaining a bachelor's degree, which is required by many employers. Your business associate degree can be applied toward several bachelor's degree programs at Bryant & Stratton College to further your education and push you forward on your career track.

Employment Settings

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top employers of administrators in 2016 were educational services (state, local and private) at about 13 percent. Healthcare and social assistance services also employed administrators at about 13 percent. Another 9 percent were employed by professional, scientific and technical services, while about 8 percent were employed in finance and insurance. About 7 percent were employed by local government, excluding education and hospitals.

Being an administrator is a full-time job. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 25 percent of administrators worked overtime in 2016. Some administrators, such as facilities managers, may be on call as well.

While this information may help you in determining the right career path for you, understand that job market data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Handbook is intended to provide insight into occupational opportunities, and is not to be construed as a guarantee of salary or job title. Bryant & Stratton College cannot guarantee employment in any field.

For insights into a career as an administrator, please visit the Business Degrees section of our blog. Here you will find valuable information about business and administrative careers. Explore the website and be sure to visit the Business Associate Degree page.